You will find in tomorrow's edition of Australian Motorcycle news a two page write up detailing a Kawasaki engine patent potentially being used for the next generation of ZX-10Rs. Following in the lead of Yamaha, Kawasaki have elected to use MotoGP engine technology in the form of a Big Band firing order. Essentially this means that whilst still being an inline 4, cylinders 1 and 4 will fire simultaneously followed by 2 and 3 half a revolution later. The entire engine will then spin for 540 degrees unaided before firing again. The use of a small electric motor will turn the cranks at low revolutions during this time to aid in low rev torque. At hirer revs the momemtum should be enough that this is not required. Other potential applications of this motor is that it may replace the alternator when not in use, keeping down weight and cost. At full-throttle application, the motor may also be used to gain extra power. The motor, in combination with the computer can also be used to control how much if any engine breaking is applied when throttling off. The new R1 already boast enormous rear wheel HP as well as more torque than a 1098, I would expect to be seeing HP in the vicinity of 180-200 at the wheel and 150 Nm of torque with this engine type. This technology's main advantage is a significantly smoother torque curve, much finer throttle control allowing better corner control and as already stated, ridiculous amounts of power. The R1 was banned in a number of countries well before its release and I would be expecting to see more of the same.
Yamaha have had their new R1 on roads in the US for just two days and have already seen 3 deaths as a result of the entirely new levels their pseudo Big Bang motor have taken their bike to. The Kawasaki engine differs in that it is much more closely aligned with the actual RR engine than the R1, with the R1 not having a simultaneous firing order like the Kawasaki. The electronics of the Kawasaki are expected to overcome probelms normally seen in such engines such as life expectancy and lack of down-low power.
Now if they also come to the party with a GP suspension setup like Yamaha have and an improved braking system, I think we could see a return to the days of the Ninja being the number one bike in the land.
Hmm wonder what it will be .. Crim . Gumpy . Bug .. Just gotta wait & find out 
